Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney has once again proven a true wizard in the first round of the NFL Draft. Brian Burns, selected following the Panthers expressing a need to get younger and faster on defense, has steam rolled over any rockiness the team might have experienced during their transition to a more 3-4 base front. Through five games as a rookie, Burns has posted 3.5 sacks, 14 combined tackles, nine quarterback hits, one fumble forced, and another returned for a touchdown. He has also partially blocked two punts.
Burns was intended to be a rotational piece, along with Christian Miller and Marquis Haynes, behind Mario Addison and Bruce Irvin this season.